Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi all, Am sure somewhere within the forum a nurse posted about successfully returning to work wearing a disposable sleeve in clinical situations. I have been off the forum for months. Good luck, and with the right support am sure you will achieve your dream. X ... View more

Hi all,   Posting another perspective - I am now living a flat and fabulous lifestyle - my original surgeries were 2014, matching surgery 2015, but then in 2016 out of the blue I had x4 episodes of horrific cellulitis / mastitis (x3 in original treated side x1 in matched side). These episodes led to missing a planned trip abroad (far to sick to travel) and the last 5 days in hospital having IV antibiotics. Discussed with my surgeon & requested bilateral mastectomy - carried out & now cracking on with my life without the fear of these debilating infections reoccuring. The BCN said i was very unlucky to have these episodes, I have much in my life (as we all do) I wished to regain health. Door is open for reconstruction - but this would be major surgery with no promises issues would not happen again. I was also eager not to be having multiple operations in the future to rectify issues. No thanks... Flat and Fab & member of closed facebook groups  with others who made this choice & living this lifestyle. (Flat friends is the UK group). Good luck with your deliberations x   LL xx ... View more

Hi Seabreeze,   My symmetrisation surgery was always part of the planned treatment for me too... I would argue not elective. The surgeon did offer to complete all at same initial surgery, but had said results depending, further surgery / adjustments may be needed, therefore I opted to have the one side completely settled before having the other matched to it.   I believe my sick note simply stated either breast surgery or ongoing care... your GP should be sympathetic and assist with the wording. This is to enable you to be as well as you can be.   Thinking of you,   Best wishes,   LL xx ... View more

Hi Runningfree,,   As a fellow professional to another - please look after yourself and your people (family and patients) equally well. Stress to the Occ Health the meddling chemo brain - it is a recognised issue. You worked hard for your qualification - dont let the workplace & uninformed people push you beyond your current capabilities. The NMC looks out for those you look after - not you.   Sincere best wishes,   LL xx ... View more

Hi Sue,   so sorry to hear of your experiences,,, I will try to private message you.   LL xx ... View more

Hi Janey, well done on trying to keep in touch. may i suggest (if not doing so already) you keep a log & ensure these attempts are also backed by written confirmation / log telephone calls to management. I wish you an uneventful return - sadly mine was more bumpy, and thankfully i had documented / fed back my perspective of meetings held / decisions made. Stress of the workplace & poor management of my fatigue on my return (despite detailed Occ Health advice) lead to my resignation. Good luck & smooth returning LL ... View more

Hi all, gosh these posts take me back to 2014 when i attempted to return to my much loved job. Detailed occ health review and plan, and failure of my manager to stick to the recomnendations for assisting the management of my return to work and management of fatugue lead to my resugning from that post. I have not yet returned to full time work, and this year have had anither rollercoaster with my health, and health of my parents. I have been seeing my GP and my last appt i explained all and requested the GP * helped me look after me because at times i recognised i was not very good at doung this* She did sign me off for a period of time following horrendous infection that required 5 days of inpatient IV antibiotics, but this treatment really knocked me back. Look after yourself, you are important x x ... View more

Hi there, only just seen this post and windering how you are doing ? I would definately request Occ health review, in that appt a plan should be devised to enable you to have a sustainable return to work. Best wishes, LL x ... View more

Hi there, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. My insurance wasnt with Norwich union, but was in a similar situation. Once full pathology is known i would contact your company again, they know their provisions. I fiund the claims team i dealt with excellent, and the process once full pathology known was simple. Thinking of you at this tricky time, thankfully 2014 is all a but of a blurr to me niw x x ... View more

Hi there, Cant offer personal testament, but your GP is spot on... GPs are now being encouraged to recognise possible late onset side effects from cancer treatments,,, lung issues, heart issues. It is possible you were advised.re these in initial treatment phases, i know i was when refered for rads, good luck. Fingers crossed firthe best outcome for you LL xx ... View more

Hi Flowerbell, Listen to the experts, but also listen to your body. i had a seroma (exquistly paunful, thankfully immediate relief ince drained), but also developed cording, again improved after several specific sessions with the physio. Also speak with your GP and the work place advisors here ir on macmillan. Good luck, let us know how you get on, LL xx ... View more

Hi both, I had terrible fatigue after surgeries, rads and am on anastrozol. Speak with the experts, ACAS, the work advisors on this site and Macmillan. Listen to your body and your needs. I asked for a referral to occupational health, and my consultation there was fantastic. He advised increasing my work day by half a day per month. It sounds such a small increase, but it was challenging given the fatigue i had. I regret to say that i did not return ti full time work, and resigned from that position after several months of trying to re-engage. Had the plan been followed as it was set out i may have achieved it,,,, but my manager at the time could not appreciate the struggles i had. Stress impacted on my recovery, the relief when i resigned was incomparable. Good luck ladies, pls keep in touch x x LL xx ... View more

Hi Suzanne, sorry not to have responded earlier,,, I saw this - but being featherweight in brain dept has taken me until now to respond. Do contact the likes of breast cancer care / macmillan / acas to find out your position - you have protection under certain parts of the law. You may also be eligible for a protracted phased return - if your employer can support a sustainable return to work, you will be more likely to manage and keep moving forward, even if it seems challenging to you. Try requesting an occupational health review - I had one & a very detailed plan was worked out. Sadly my manager after some time tried deviating from this - she didnt seem to appreciate the fatigue I had & i ultimately resigned. The stress was too great. I never looked really poorly & I think many thought I was drawing matters out - however when I wasnt at work I was mostly flaked out. Good luck, pls let us know how it goes if you feel able - or private message me if you wish. LL xx ... View more

Hello, Trials have exacting criteria, from diagnosis to numbers of visits etc. May be worth an enquiry, but you may have to balance realistically travelling there verses your every day life. Good luck, LL xx ... View more

I would also ring the charity and speak to their work advisor specialists, macmillans version of work place specialists or may be even ACAS. Someone will know,,, it is finding that person who knows. Good luck,,, would you up date here if you find out pls ? Work matters fascinate me, i am surprised how little is seemingly posted re work .(but delighted if all sail thru with no problems) LL xx ... View more